Dear PoPville

Bizarre Late Night Solicitation – Reason for Concern?

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoPville,

We live near 14th and T, and we had a strange solicitation Monday night that was a bit disconcerting. Shortly after 11pm, a woman rang our doorbell. When we asked who it was, the woman said, “I’d like to say a prayer for your business.” We said, “We’re not interested,” and she left. Immediately afterwards, I heard a car speed off, though that could be coincidental. My husband went outside to see if she’d left anything or if she was knocking on a neighbor’s door, but she was gone.

Obviously, our home is in no way related to a place of business, so this is perplexing. We are wondering whether anyone else has encountered this woman, and if so, has there been any follow up incident? We can’t make heads or tails of it, and we are wondering whether to be concerned in any way.”

“are you experiencing a significant uptick in Surcharge Pricing?”

By Prince Of Petworth

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Photo by PoPville flickr user available_photons

“Dear PoPville,

I would be curious to know if people are experiencing a significant uptick in “Surcharge Pricing” with UBER Black Car and UBERX lately. I’ve in the last 30 days or so (almost specifically since they dropped UBERX rates 15% earlier this year) had virtually every ride regardless of time/day have a minimum of 1.3X to 2X-4X pricing. Possibly it’s just a shortage of drivers and uptick in demand because of time of the year, weather, etc… or possibly it’s something else?! That being said I still prefer UBER to DC Taxi’s but is LYFT an alternative? What do people prefer for car services in DC?”

Charity Pick-Up in DC?

By Prince Of Petworth

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Photo by PoPville flickr user number7cloud

“Dear PoPville,

I’m going to be cleaning out my apartment and anticipate having quite a lot of stuff that I’d like to donate. My problem is I don’t have a car and it’s going to be quite a lot of stuff…does DC have any charities that offer pick-up services (free or otherwise)? My donations will include: clothing, shoes, accessories, coats, jackets, scarves, housewares, kitchen items, and books. All items are gently used and clean, the clothing will be both men’s and women’s and will be packed in boxes. I’ve tried looking online with no success: AMVETS doesn’t pick up in DC and I can’t seem to get any responses from the Red Cross.

If it helps, I live in the Kalorama area of DC. I would really like to donate these items to those that may need it so if you have any suggestions I would greatly appreciate it!”

Salvation Army does pick ups. Anyone know of others?

“recommendations of an indoor public (free) space?”

By Prince Of Petworth

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Photo by PoPville flickr user Josh

“Dear PoPville,

I’m looking for recommendations of an indoor public (free) space. I have about 10 family members coming in town for my parents anniversary. We want to do a little renewal of the vows ceremony for them. Nothing too serious. But would love a place other than my row house!”

PoPville PSA – Can’t register online with the DMV using Safari

By Prince Of Petworth

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Photo by PoPville flickr user John Sonderman

“Dear PoPville,

Here is a PSA. Last year I spent a very frustrating time renewing my registration with DMV. The system kept on returning an error message. I found a nice person in the Director’s office, who processed it for me manually. If figured there was some problem they would fix. This year, same result. I have a Mac and use Safari (I would think lots of others do too). I now realize that I could only process my renewal using Chrome (rather than Safari.) So, since the DMV seems not interested in fixing the site, they should at least warn users not to use Safari. Don’t want people to waste their time.”

How important is it for you to have an in-unit washer/dryer as a renter?

By Prince Of Petworth

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Photo by PoPville flickr user Phil

“Dear PoPville,

How important is it to have an in-unit washer/dryer for a renter? Our English basement rental does not have one (though a Laundromat is half a block away) and I have a sneaking suspicion that the people coming to view the place are crossing it off their list because of it. The unit is amazing otherwise. I’d love to hear what the commentariat thinks. Is this a deal breaker?

(I understand you covered a similar topic here but it didn’t specifically address the washer/dryer issue).”

“Can anyone explain the zoning restrictions that deal with % of lot occupancy?”

By Prince Of Petworth

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Photo by PoPville flickr user Beau Finley

“Dear PoPville,

Can anyone explain the zoning restrictions that deal with % of lot occupancy available for certain zones (R-2, R-3 and such)? I do not know much about this, but bought a house a while back where the previous owner had sold a portion of the back lot to a neighbor. By all indications, they sold more than enough to throw the lot size versus house size out of whack by most percentages I can find as legally allowed in the District. I’m curious what the process is by which that could have happened legally and if found to not have happened legally, is there any recourse I have as the new owner? Obviously if the lot versus occupancy % is over the limit, there’s zero options to expand. I have no concerns over that as much as wondering if I have a smaller lot than I should have because of illegal actions by a previous owner. Anyone dealt with this or know how to research this?”

How Do We Get this Unpermitted Construction Vehicle Removed?

By Prince Of Petworth

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“Dear PoPville,

I have been trying unsuccessfully to get a piece of machinery removed from my street for a few weeks. This is on 100 block of V Street, NW in Bloomingdale, a street that already has half of its parking gobbled up by the water project. The machine is from a contractor that is renovating a house, it’s not part of the water project. I’m not quite sure how this machine is helpful in a home renovation to begin with, but I have seen the contractors move it in the morning so they can park their cars directly in front of the building they’re working on. I don’t think they’ve even been working on the house for the last week or two. There are and never have been “no parking” permits posted.”

Update: DPW tells OP that DCRA handles construction equipment that park without permits because this backhoe has no tag nor a vin number.”

“How does one know if he lives in an illegal rental?”

By Prince Of Petworth

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“Dear PoPville,

How does one know if he lives in an illegal rental?

We rent the main and upstairs floors of a townhouse in DC with a separately rented basement unit. Searching PIVS on DC’s website, there is no certificate of occupancy or basic business license at the house.

Am I in an illegal rental? And if so, what rights or responsibilities do I have and what rights or responsibilities does my landlord have?”

Ideas for a 30th Birthday Celebration this Summer?

By Prince Of Petworth

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Photo by PoPville flickr user Caroline Angelo

“Dear PoPville,

My boyfriend is turning 30 on a Sunday this summer and I am trying to come up with some fun, unique ideas for a group of about 20. I would like to do something more exciting than a boozy brunch but not as expensive as chartering a boat on the Potomac for a summer cruise. Any fun ideas??”

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